Record Offer Starts Yanks' Courtship Of Sabathia

By TYLER KEPNER; Michael S. Schmidt contributed reporting.

Published: November 15, 2008

The Yankees had been waiting for Friday for roughly a year. Since determining last winter that they would not trade for Johan Santana, they were eager to sign an ace without giving up their best prospects in the process. When an ace hit the open market on Friday, the Yankees pounced.

On the first day teams could negotiate with all free agents, the Yankees made an offer to C. C. Sabathia that would be a record for a pitcher. According to two people with knowledge of the team's plans, the six-year offer is believed to be worth at least $140 million, exceeding the $137.5 million deal the Mets gave Santana in February.

The Yankees did not stop there, also preparing offers for the other two top pitchers on the free-agent market, A. J. Burnett and Derek Lowe. The Yankees hope to entice at least one of them -- in addition to Sabathia -- to join a rotation that would also include Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain.

The Yankees could round out their rotation by bringing back the free agent Andy Pettitte for a one-year contract. They are interested in retaining Mike Mussina, but all indications are that Mussina, who turns 40 next month, will retire.

Sabathia, 28, is the obvious centerpiece to the Yankees' off-season planning. After entrusting two young starters with spots in the rotation last spring, with poor results, the Yankees are taking no chances this time. They want proven commodities to pitch for them, with offense a lesser priority.

That was all but confirmed by Thursday's trade with the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Nick Swisher, a deal consummated before the Yankees could formally negotiate with Mark Teixeira, the top free-agent first baseman. The Los Angeles Angels will try hard to retain Teixeira, and signing him would probably mean they could not also afford Sabathia.

If the Angels do not bid on Sabathia, there would seem to be few -- if any -- teams willing to approach the Yankees' offer, especially in the current economic climate. The Boston Red Sox are thought to be interested in Lowe, but a run at Sabathia seems unlikely considering Boston's ace, Josh Beckett, is unsigned past next season.

The San Francisco Giants and the Mets have already splurged on a starter in recent years -- Barry Zito for the Giants, Santana for the Mets. The Los Angeles Dodgers are focused more on re-signing Manny Ram?z, and their owner, Frank McCourt, would seem unlikely to give a six-year contract to a pitcher.

The Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly bid $100 million over five years to keep Sabathia, but the Yankees' offer dwarfs that. And while Sabathia led the Brewers to the playoffs this season, the Yankees would seem much more likely to be a regular contender.

Those who know Sabathia say he wants to sign quickly and has no desire to visit possible destinations. He has played in New York many times, and has already spoken by phone with Derek Jeter. By making Sabathia a bold early offer, the Yankees believe they showed him the sincerity of their interest.

Sabathia's agent, Greg Genske, did not return a telephone call. But if the Yankees' offer is considerably higher than any other team's, the players' union will be eager for Genske and Sabathia to take it. Because the offer would set a new standard for pitchers' salaries, it is hard to envision Sabathia's turning it down.

Meanwhile, the top reliever on the market is closer Francisco Rodr?ez, who set a record for saves with 62 for the Angels last season. His agent, Paul Kinzer, said he received no formal offers on Friday.

''It could go on for several weeks and months,'' Kinzer said in a telephone interview. ''I wasn't expecting to have a deal today. Especially with a guy like this, there are a lot of things behind the scenes. They are looking at his medical reports and everything else, like with any big pitcher.''

Kinzer said the Mets and the Angels were among four teams that had expressed substantial interest in signing the 26-year-old Rodr?ez. However, he said the Angels appeared to have made re-signing Teixeira their top priority.

''You want as many of the six big-market teams to be interested for Rodr?ez,'' Kinzer said, referring to the Mets, the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Angels, the Red Sox and the Cubs. ''If those other teams were involved, this would be much more interesting.''

The Cubs have not inquired about Rodr?ez, Kinzer said, and the Yankees, the Dodgers and the Red Sox have closers for next season.

Kinzer said more teams had expressed interest in another one of his clients, shortstop Rafael Furcal.

''There are about eight to 10 teams interested in him, and five of them have called today again expressing their interest,'' Kinzer said.

Kinzer said teams had been scrutinizing Furcal's medical records because he had surgery in July to relieve pressure on a disk in his lower back.